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charlote_1347's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first of J. G. Ballard's books that I've read, and I really enjoyed it. Wilder, Royal and Laing were intriguing characters, each with disturbing eccentricities. The dynamic between Wilder and Royal was likewise fascinating, although it was also anti-climactic. The conclusion of the novel, however, was balanced by the ambiguous fates of its characters and the repetition it promises in the high rise's neighbour.
amandajmyers's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mariagrazia_4's review against another edition
slow-paced
2.5
Noioso e ripetitivo. Capisco il tema e l'intento dell'autore ma non riesco proprio ad apprezzarlo.
bookwitch777's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
benjy697's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
jayseewhy's review against another edition
3.0
This book portrays a sublime ascent into madness. Filled with thrills, violence and a damning assessment of the human condition it was definitely a worthwhile read.
maxmagee's review against another edition
3.0
All in all I found this to be kind of dull, sorry to say. But I liked this bit:
"In the hours after midnight torches flared behind the barricades in the lobbies and corridors, where enclaves of five or six residents squatted among the plastic garbage sacks, inciting each other like wedding guests making themselves drunk in the knowledge that they too will soon be copulating freely among the sweetmeats."
"In the hours after midnight torches flared behind the barricades in the lobbies and corridors, where enclaves of five or six residents squatted among the plastic garbage sacks, inciting each other like wedding guests making themselves drunk in the knowledge that they too will soon be copulating freely among the sweetmeats."
brynnnnn's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Maybe the most attention-grabbing of the 3 books I've read by Ballard so far- faster-paced and more interesting than Concrete Island, and a bit more easily read than Crash. Better world-building than both, in my opinion.
Very crude and disturbing at times, and like the other two books it is still set in Ballard's world of people giving in to their primal urges and choosing to stay in terrible situations. He really loves to focus on unlikeable men, architecture, and terribly detailed descriptions of the most minor things. Definitely not a book I'd recommend to everyone, but worth a read if you like his style.
Very crude and disturbing at times, and like the other two books it is still set in Ballard's world of people giving in to their primal urges and choosing to stay in terrible situations. He really loves to focus on unlikeable men, architecture, and terribly detailed descriptions of the most minor things. Definitely not a book I'd recommend to everyone, but worth a read if you like his style.